Quick releasable key



April 5, 1932. F. 'AMRHEIN QUICK RELEASABLE KEY Filed May 27, 1929 iraizz/iiizr/zez'iz ATTORNEY WITNESS:

- if the occasion arises; It is also well known Figure 3 is an elevation of a key of a modi- 6 0 the key must be dragged about the entire shown a key comprising the usual bit 10 have devised the present invention which connection with such a variety as it can be 1 v has for an important object the provision of Just as easily embodied in a key of a totally and inexpensive to make, easy to use, posibe anchored in any desired manner'aS 1,95

Patented Apr. 5, "1932J v I 1 5 5 Hun-arse: stares PATENTS OFFECEZ I FRANZ AMRHJEIN; or SAN'JOSE, cosTA RICA QUICKRELEASABLE. knit Application filed May 27, 1929.'- Seria1 No. 366,393.-.

v The invention relates, tokeys and hasv for consists in thedetailsof construction and the its general object the provision of a key 0011- arrangement and combination of parts to be structioniwhereby the loop or handle of the hereinafter more fully described and claimed, key itself maybe opened to permit ready en-. and illustrated in the accompanying drawa 5 gagement upon or disengagement from a key ings in which I 55 ringor' the like, r. Figure 1 is a side elevationof a key con- Itis well known that it is a more or less structed in accordance withoneembodiment troublesome task to place a, key upon a conof my invention. i ventional type of key ring and to remove it Figure 2 -is an edge elevation thereof.

that it is frequently necessary to remove a fied form. s

' key from a key ring and especially when use Figure 41 is an edge view thereof. is made of the ordinary type of key ring Referring more particularly to thedrawwhich is divided circumf-erentially so that ings, and especially Figures 1 and 2, I have I key ringbefore it can be removed, this opformedupon a loop or handle 11. While a eration is troublesome, annoying and time key of the Yale type is shown it shouldof consuming: 7 course be understood that the invention is It is withthe abovefacts in view that I not in any way restricted to employment in a key having a loop or handle with a releasdifferent type. In carrying out the invention able portion whereby its continuity may be the loop 11 is shown as interrupted at some interrupt-ed to permit the loop or handle to point in its circumference, this being very:

be engaged upon ordisengaged from a key readily effected by cutting away a portion.

ring with-the utmost ease and simplicity. This interrupted portion is indicated at 12 Another object of the invention is to proand is defined between a diagonal cutl? and vide a key embodying this characteristic but a pair of ears 14 located atopposite sides of yet at the same time so constructed that if a bifurcation as will be readily apparent, this desired it maybe engaged upon a key ring bifurcation being shown. by'the dottedlines :30,

inthe ordinary manner with the quick releas- 15 in Figure l.

' able feature o mitted or at least not used at Pivoted at 16 within this bifurcation bethat particular time, the selection of use detweenthe ears 14 isamovable memberor secpending upon the will of the person owning tion 17 of such size and shape as to fill the the key. opening 12 completely under normal clrcum- Another object of the invention is to prostances. In other words, this member or seevide a key in which there maybe a movable tion 17 has a diagonal endlS intended to section constructed in anyone of a wide vaabutagainst the diagonal wall or shoulder 13 riety of specific ways depending upon which so that the movable section will be in effect may be found the most advantageous in actual a continuation of the, remainder of the loop i91 practice or which may be found, preferable 11. Aleaf spring 19 is preferablyprovlded to the manufacturer. I for normally holding this movable section 1n An additional object is to provide a strucregistration or circumferential alignment ture of this character which will be simple with the remainder of the loop and the spring tive in action, efficient and rapid in action, for'instance by having one end fitted within durable in service, and a general improveand preferably soldered wlthin a socket 20 at ment in the art. the juncture of the bit 10 with the handle With the above and other objects andad loopll. v vantages in view, the invention preferably Though 1t is not essential, I prefer to pro- ;1 }00 vide a rib or web 21 which traverses the bandle loop 11 and which is preferably in alignment with the bit 10, the purpose being to divide the handle loop 11 into two parts, one having the interrupted portion with the movable section therein and the other being continuous or unbroken.

In the use of this form of the invention, it is of course apparent that if the key is to be left upon a key ring in the usual manner the uninterrupted portion of the handle loop is engaged with the key ring. If, however, it is desired to mount the key upon the key ring in such a way that it may be very quickly and easily removed when such is desired, it is merely necessary to place the handle loop 11 against the key ring at the movable section 17 and then press sufficiently hard to over come the resistance of the spring 19 whereupon the key ring will enter the space within the loop. Removal is effected in the reverse manner and it is of course apparent that it is a very simple proposition.

As the invention is capable of embodiment in various ways, I have shown in Figures 3 and 4 a modification though the principle is identically the same. Referring to these two figures in detail, the key bit 21 is shown as formed at one end with a liandle loop 22 interrupted at some convenient point as shown at 23. At one end of this interruption or Opening there is provided a socket 24 for a purpose to be described, and at the other end the loop 22 is of hollow formation or formed with a socket 25 within which is slidably mounted an arcuate bar 26, or loop section normally urged toward the socket 24 by a coil spring 27 likewise mounted within the socket 25. The hollow or socketed portion of the handle loop 22 is represented as formed with a circumferentially extending slot 28 along which travels a knob 29 on the movable section or bar 26, this knob being engageable by the thumb or finger nail of the operator so that the section 26 may be slid along the socket 25 against the resistance of the spring 27 so as to expose the opening 23 and permit the handle loop to be engaged upon the key ring. This type of construction is very similar to the safety catches provided on the retaining rings of jewelry. In this form of the invention I preferably provide a bar or web 30 dividing the loop into sections in exactly the same manner and for the same purpose as the web 21 in Figure 1.

In both forms of the invention it will therefore be apparent that I have provided a. key of such construction that it may be engaged upon a key ring in the usual manner by dividing the key ring and sliding the key along, or by opening the movable section of the handle loop to permit ready engagement of the key upon the ring or removal therefrom by a sim le lateral movement with respect thereto. 0th forms of the invention will operate with equal efliciency and both will be of great advantage on account of the saving in time, labor and annoyance.

While I have shown and described two preferred embodiments of the invention, it should of course be understood that I reserve the right to make all such changes in the details of construction and the arrangement and combination of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described the invention, I claim A key comprising a one-piece substantiall flat body portion, including a ring-like he a bar arranged centrally within the head and dividing the latter into two semicircular portions, one of which is uninterrupted, the other of said portions having an opening immediately adjacent the body of the key, a section pivoted at one end of the opening and adapted to normally close said opening to form a. continuity of said semicircular portion, and a spring engaging said section to normally hold the latter within said opening.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FRANZ AMRHEIN. 

